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Student guide, September 2026

Registration of Allied & Healthcare Professionals Regulations, 2026

The new NCAHP registration rules, explained in simple language and in the right order — so students and parents know exactly what to do.

Notified on31 August 2026
Gazette of IndiaNo. 550, 9 September 2026
Parent lawNCAHP Act, 2021

Your registration journey

From choosing the right course to practising anywhere in India.

  1. 1Choose a recognised qualification
  2. 2Complete internship with interim registration
  3. 3Pass the exit / final examination
  4. 4Apply online in Form R-1 and get your UID
  5. 5Renew every 5 years with CPD hours
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    Result checking help and guidance for the next semester.

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EMI & Scholarship — important clarification. EMI & Scholarship facilities are offered by IMTS Institute only. They are not offered directly by the University.

“University does not offer Scholarship or EMI facilities. Any Scholarship/EMI mentioned in this prospectus is provided by IMTS Institute, subject to applicable terms and conditions.”

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The complete guideline on one screen

The guideline at a glance

The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has notified one national rulebook for how allied and healthcare professionals get registered, renew and stay on the official register.

26Regulations
7Chapters
10Recognised categories
5 yearsRegistration validity

Who needs it?

Anyone who wants to practise a recognised allied & healthcare profession in India.

Where to apply?

Online portal of the Commission — to your State Council, or to NCAHP if no State Council exists.

Eligibility

Recognised qualification (Schedule I) + exit exam + residence in the State.

Decision time

The State Council accepts or rejects within 30 working days.

Validity & renewal

Valid for 5 years. Renewal needs 75 hours of CPD (15 hours every year).

Internship

Students need Interim Registration before internship or practical training.

Public register

Central and State registers are public online, showing Active or Inactive status.

IMTS support

Free counselling, eligibility check and step-by-step admission guidance.

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Background

What is this new regulation?

  • Issued by
    National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Profession, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
  • Notification number
    Z-1011/16/2025/NCAHP(AHS), dated 31 August 2026
  • Published in
    Gazette of India (Extraordinary), Part III–Section 4, No. 550, 9 September 2026
  • In force from
    The date of its publication in the Official Gazette
  • Legal power
    Section 66 read with Sections 11, 13, 19, 32, 33, 36 and 39 of the NCAHP Act, 2021 (14 of 2021)

7 chapters — quick map

  1. Preliminary

    Short title and definitions — Regulations 1–2

  2. Registration in State Register

    Eligibility, process, appeal, additional qualification — Regulations 3–7

  3. Modification, renewal, removal, duplicate

    Regulations 8–11

  4. States without a functional State Council

    Regulations 12–16

  5. Interim registration for internship

    Regulation 17

  6. Foreign-qualified & sponsored professionals

    Regulations 18–23

  7. Central & State registers, online mode

    Regulations 24–26

Schedule I

Degree list for every recognised profession: name, duration, mode of learning and remarks.

Schedule II

All application forms: R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5A, R-5B, R-5C and Format-A.

Schedule III

The 16 details shown about every professional in the public register.

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Regulation 2 — definitions

Key terms made simple

Tap any term to see what it means in plain language.

Recognised qualification
A qualification approved by the Commission for practice, including its curriculum and compulsory internship.
Primary qualification
The basic recognised qualification needed to practise a profession. It is recorded as your first qualification in the register.
Additional qualification
A higher or other recognised qualification (for example, a PG degree) added later to your Central Register entry.
Exit examination
The exam the Commission will specify under Section 11. Until it is notified, the final exam of your recognised institution counts as the exit exam.
UID number
Your unique identification number as a registered professional, issued with a QR code.
Certificate of registration
The certificate (including a digital certificate) issued by the State Council or the Commission once your registration is complete.
Interim registration
Registration for students of a recognised institution so they can do internship or practical training required for their qualification.
Provisional registration
Temporary registration under Section 38 for people already working before the Act started, without a recognised qualification.
Temporary registration
Registration under Section 39 for foreign-qualified or sponsored foreign professionals, for a specific purpose and period.
Renewal
Extending the validity of your registration by another 5 years after it expires.
Removal and restoration
Removal is deleting a name from the register. Restoration is entering the name again.
Good standing certificate
A certificate of your professional conduct, needed for education or practice outside India.
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Regulation 3

Who must register — and which type fits you?

A person can practise a recognised profession only after registration. Registration is complete when your name enters the State Register and the Central Register and you receive your UID number.

Regular (State)

Indian professionals with a recognised qualification, living in a State that has a State Council.

Reg 4

Central

Professionals living in a State or UT where no State Council has been set up yet.

Reg 12

Interim

Students of recognised institutions, before internship, observership or practical training.

Reg 17

Provisional

People working on or before the Act started, without a recognised qualification.

Reg 3, 26

Temporary

Foreign-qualified or sponsored foreign professionals, for a fixed purpose and period.

Reg 20–22

Indian citizens with a foreign qualification can get full registration through the Central Register under Regulations 18–19.

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Schedule I

10 recognised professional categories

Schedule I lists the exact degree names, course duration and mode of learning accepted for each profession. Your qualification must match this list.

Category 1

Medical Laboratory & Life Sciences

Lab technologists, biotechnologists, biochemists, microbiologists, geneticists, cyto-, histo- and hemato-technologists, forensic science technologists.

Category 2

Trauma, Burn Care & Surgical / Anaesthesia Related Technology

Professionals who support surgery, anaesthesia, trauma and burn care.

Category 3

Physiotherapy Professional

Category 4

Nutrition Science Professionals

Category 5

Ophthalmic Sciences Professional

Category 6

Occupational Therapist

Category 8

Medical Radiology, Imaging & Therapeutic Technology

Category 9

Medical Technologist & Physician Associates

Category 10

Health Information Management

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Special focus for BA students

Psychology & Social Work in the new rules

Psychology and social work professionals working in health settings are now part of the NCAHP registration system.

Psychologist

Except Clinical Psychologist covered under RCI

Undergraduate degrees listed

  • Bachelor of Psychology (B.Psy) — 4 years
  • B.A./B.Sc. in Psychology or Applied Psychology (Hons./Hons. with Research) — 3 years
  • Bachelor's in Applied Psychology and Behavioural Health
  • B.A. Triple Majors or Double Majors with Psychology
  • B.Sc. (Behavioural Health Sciences) (Hons.)

Postgraduate degrees listed

M.A./M.Sc. in Psychology, Applied, Clinical (not RCI-registered), Counselling, Forensic, Industrial, Organizational, Neuropsychology, Sports and Health Psychology, and more. PG Diplomas in Psychology and Counselling are also listed.

Path to regular registration: UG in Psychology (3–4 years) + 2-year PG in Psychology + experience in health settings, as per the Schedule I remarks.

Social Worker

Includes Medical, Clinical and Psychiatric Social Workers

Undergraduate degrees listed

  • Bachelor's in Social Work (BSW) — 3 to 4 years
  • Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (B.A. Social Work) — 3 to 4 years
  • Bachelor of Medical and Psychiatric Social Work (B.MPSW) — 4 years

Postgraduate degrees listed

MSW, M.A. Social Work (including Counselling, Mental Health and Public Health), MSW in Medical & Psychiatric or Clinical Social Work, MPhil and PhD in Social Work.

Path to regular registration: eligibility criteria up to academic year 2025–26 — UG in Social Work (3–4 years) + experience in a health setting, under the Medical Social Work domain.

Talk to IMTS before you take admission. Schedule I lists the mode of learning for these qualifications as “Regular”. If you plan to practise as a psychologist or social worker in health settings, discuss it with an IMTS counsellor before admission — we help you choose the course that fits your career goal. This rule is about practising the profession; it does not by itself decide your degree's validity for other purposes.

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Regulation 4(1)

Check your eligibility for State registration

Tick each condition you already meet. All three are needed before you apply.

0 of 3 conditions met

Tick the conditions you meet to see your next step.

Ask an IMTS counsellor
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Regulations 4, 6 and 25

Step-by-step registration process

This is the path for regular registration in the State Register.

  1. Check your eligibility

    Recognised qualification in Schedule I, exit exam passed and residence in the State.

  2. Apply online in Form R-1

    Fill Form R-1 on the Commission's online portal and select your State Council. All applications are online (Reg 25).

  3. Upload your documents

    Upload your qualification, internship and ID documents as listed in the checklist below.

  4. Get an acknowledgement

    The State Council acknowledges receipt of your application.

  5. Document verification

    All annexed documents and qualifications are verified with the originals.

  6. Decision within 30 working days

    The State Council accepts or rejects the application within 30 working days of receipt. Before any rejection, you get a chance to correct defects.

  7. Certificate of Registration + UID

    You receive your certificate with a UID number and QR code, generated through a centralised portal.

  8. Entry in the Central Register

    On the last working day of every month, the State Council sends new registrations to NCAHP, which adds them to the Central Register. You may then practise in any State after intimation (Reg 6).

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Form R-1, Schedule II

Documents checklist

Tick items as you collect them. Your progress is saved on this device.

What Form R-1 asks you to fill in

  • Name, gender, age, date and place of birth
  • Father's and mother's name, citizenship (by birth or domicile)
  • Permanent address, present occupation, e-mail and mobile number
  • Aadhaar, Passport or Voter ID details
  • 10th and 12th details: school, board and year of passing
  • Allied & healthcare qualification, university, course duration, internship institute and year of passing
  • States where you wish to practise
  • Any other remarks, including experience

Documents to attach 0 / 8

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Regulations 4(5)–4(7) and 6

Your UID number and the Central Register

Tap each part of the sample UID to see what it means.

Example from the regulation: IND-GU-08-2025-XXXXXXXXX along with a QR code.

From State Register to all-India practice

State Register

Your State Council registers you and issues your certificate.

Monthly update

Details go to NCAHP on the last working day of each month.

Central Register

NCAHP adds your name to the Central Register.

Practise anywhere

You may practise in any State (Section 15), after intimation.

Working in another State? Inform the State Council where you are registered through Form R-2. It updates your States of practice and informs the Commission (Reg 4(7)).

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Regulation 5

Application rejected? Here is the appeal route

  1. Chance to correct

    Before rejection, the State Council must let you fix defects in the form or documents.

  2. Written reasoned order

    Any rejection must be a written order with reasons, communicated to you.

  3. Appeal within 1 month

    Appeal to the Commission within one month of receiving the rejection.

  4. Expert review

    The Commission may consult the relevant Professional Council for comments.

  5. Decision within 90 working days

    The appeal process is completed within 90 working days.

  6. Binding order

    If allowed, the State Council must enter your name and grant the certificate.

1 monthto file an appeal
90working days to decide

Registered directly with NCAHP? You file a review application within 30 days instead (Reg 13). The Professional Council comments within 90 days, and the Commission's decision is final.

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Regulations 7, 8, 11, 15 and 16

Add, update or replace your record

Additional qualification

Reg 7, Form D
  1. Complete a higher qualification approved by the Commission.

  2. Apply to NCAHP in Form D (NCAHP Rules, 2021).

  3. Central Register updated. UID and validity stay the same.

  4. State Register updated automatically.

  5. Practise in that specialisation.

Modify your details

Reg 8 & 16, Form R-2
  1. Submit changed details in Form R-2 with documents.

  2. Send to the Secretary of your State Council, or the Commission if centrally registered.

  3. Answer any queries raised.

  4. Details verified with originals and updated.

  5. Changes forwarded to the Central Register.

Duplicate certificate

Reg 11 & 15, Form R-4
  1. Original lost or destroyed? Apply in Form R-4.

  2. State: apply to the Secretary of your State Council.

  3. Central: apply to NCAHP with the FIR and documents.

  4. Your acknowledgement works as proof of registration meanwhile.

  5. Central duplicate issued within 30 days.

No additional qualification can be added while your registration is marked “inactive” (Reg 7(5)).

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Regulations 9, 10 and 14

Renewal every 5 years and CPD hours

Registration is valid for 5 years. To renew, you must complete Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

Minimum CPD hours you should have (cumulative)

15
30
45
60
75
Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5
15 hrsminimum every year
75 hrstotal in 5 years
≤ 50%maximum online

Accepted CPD activities

ConferencesWorkshopsSeminarsTraining programmesFaculty development programmes

Attach self-certified true copies of attendance certificates with your renewal form, and follow any CPD guidance issued by the Commission.

How renewal works

  1. Earn 75 CPD hours

    At least 15 hours each year across the 5-year validity.

  2. Apply 6 months before expiry

    Form R-3 to your State Council, or directly to the Commission if centrally registered (Reg 14).

  3. Acknowledgement & verification

    The Council acknowledges your application and checks compliance.

  4. Certificate of Renewal

    Same format as the registration certificate, valid for 5 more years. Both registers are updated.

Missed the deadline? Status becomes “Inactive”

  • No renewal application before expiry = “Inactive” in the State Register, auto-updated in the Central Register.
  • You cannot practise while inactive.
  • No additional qualification can be registered while inactive.

Removal of registration (Reg 10)

A State Council may remove a registration under Section 36(1) for 2 months to 2 years, or permanently.

A removed professional cannot register again in that or any other State without prior approval from the State Council that removed the name.

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Chapter IV, Regulations 12–16

Living in a State without a State Council?

Until a functional State Council is set up in your State or UT, you register directly with NCAHP and receive a Central Certificate of Registration.

SituationWhat happensForm / Reg.
RegistrationApply directly to the Commission. Same eligibility as Regulation 4(1). Validity counts from the date of Central Register entry.Reg 12
If rejectedWritten reasoned order after a hearing and a chance to correct defects. File a review within 30 days; the Professional Council comments within 90 days. The decision is final and binding.Reg 13
RenewalApply to the Commission six months before expiry, after meeting CPD rules.Form R-3, Reg 14
DuplicateApply with the FIR and supporting documents. Your acknowledgement is proof of registration until the duplicate is issued within 30 days.Form R-4, Reg 15
ModificationSend changed details to the Secretary to the Commission; verified with originals.Form R-2, Reg 16

When the State Council is set up, your entry is automatically moved to the State Register, and the State Council gets full powers of removal and restoration.

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Chapter V, Regulation 17

Interim registration for internship

Every student of a recognised institution needs it before any internship, training, observership or practical training required for the qualification.

Institution starts it

Your recognised institution initiates the process with the State Council.

Institution's State

Taken from the State Council of the State where your institution is located.

Attached facility only

Training must be done at the practising facility attached to your institution.

Exception

Foreign-qualified professionals with temporary registration for clinical training don't need it.

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Chapter VI, Regulations 18–22

Studied abroad, or visiting from abroad?

Full registration for foreign-qualified Indians

An Indian citizen with a qualification from outside India (recognised under Section 39) and no recognised Indian qualification.

  • Foreign qualification recognised by the Commission, or equivalency credential evaluation completed
  • and the relevant exit examination qualified
  • Apply in Form R-5A and name your State of residence in India
  • UID with your country-of-residence code (e.g. NZ-08-2025-XXXXXXXXX) and QR code
  • Central Register entry; your chosen State Register is updated automatically
  • Treated like any other registered professional

Temporary registration

For a specific purpose and period, with immigration rules followed.

  • PG / specialty study: needs equivalency + exit exam; valid for the course duration. No PG admission without it.
  • Fellowship, research, clinical training, observership, workshop: needs equivalency; maximum 12 months, only for that programme.
  • Expert visits and voluntary community service
  • Sponsored foreign nationals: Form R-5C, Indian sponsor, valid visa; the host institution is responsible for their conduct.
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Regulations 23–26, Schedule III

Good standing, public register and more

Good standing certificate

Needed for foreign education, work abroad or student exchange. Apply to your State Council, or to NCAHP if there is no State Council.

100% online process

All applications, including temporary registration, are received through the online portal on the Commission's website.

Provisional registration

Those working in recognised categories before the Act, who don't meet regular criteria, register under the provisional registration regulations (Section 38).

Public register — what anyone can see (Schedule III)

Registration numberNameFather's / mother's nameGender Date of registrationStatePlace of work / practicePrimary qualification Additional qualification(s)SpecialtyYear of passingInstitute / University Period of valid registrationUID numberStates of practiceStatus: Active / Inactive
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Quick reference, Schedule II

All registration forms in one table

FormPurposeSubmit toRegulation
R-1New registrationState Council (NCAHP if no Council)4(2), 12
R-2Modify details / intimate practice in another StateState Council or NCAHP4(7), 8, 16
R-3Renewal every 5 yearsState Council or NCAHP9(5), 14
R-4Duplicate certificateState Council or NCAHP11, 15
Form DAdditional qualification (NCAHP Rules, 2021)NCAHP7
R-5ARegistration of foreign-qualified professionalNCAHP19
R-5BTemporary registration (PG / fellowship / training)NCAHP21
R-5CTemporary registration of sponsored foreign nationalNCAHP22
Format-ACertificate of temporary registrationIssued by NCAHP20(5)
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Never miss a deadline

Important time limits at a glance

30working days

State Council decides your registration application

1month

To appeal to NCAHP after State rejection

90working days

Commission completes the appeal

30days

To file a review after rejection by NCAHP

90days

Professional Council comments on a review

30days

Issue of a central duplicate certificate

Monthlylast working day

State Council sends new registrations to NCAHP

6months before expiry

Apply for renewal

5years

Validity of registration and each renewal

12months max.

Temporary registration for fellowship or training

2m–2yor permanent

Removal period decided by the State Council

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Your next step: 6 simple actions

  1. Define your career goal

    If you want to work as a psychologist or social worker in health settings, NCAHP registration will matter.

  2. Book free IMTS counselling

    Get a free 30-minute session to match the right course with your career goal.

  3. Plan your PG early

    Psychology registration needs UG + a 2-year PG in Psychology, with health-setting experience.

  4. Build experience and keep proof

    Keep certificates of work in health settings. Form R-1 asks for evidence of experience.

  5. Take admission with guidance

    IMTS supports you with admission, study material, assignments, exams and results.

  6. Stay CPD-ready

    After registration, plan 15 CPD hours every year for smooth renewal.

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